"Time Flies" Birthday Card

I'm proud to announce that this week I'm the Guest Designer over at My Sheri Crafts.

The theme for this week's challenge is "Time For A Change".

Here is my featured submission:

I've used this particular clock stamp set quite frequently and love the "Time Flies" theme.  But it's a new year and I wanted to change it up.  So instead of my usual birds and clocks, I went with a butterfly.  I think butterflies truly represent "Change"!  This project has lots of details and I've described them below.  If you're interested, keep reading!

First off, I created the background using one of my favorite embossing techniques.  I took a piece of blue patterned paper (this one had a very subtle pattern) and stamped with embossing ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I worked in small areas so that the embossing ink didn't dry before I powdered it and also so that I could make sure I was pleased with the design.  Once I was finished, I took Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire & Faded Jeans) and applied them over the embossed design with the blending tool.  I used a paper towel to gently buff the DI off of the raised design.  Once that was done,I spritzed the entire sheet with pearlized water. 

Here you can see a close up on how the embossing shimmers and shines as you move the card.  I love this technique because it allows you to make your own custom paper that looks so elegant!

The next feature I want to detail is the butterfly.  Using my Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot program, I cut this butterfly out of acetate.  On the back side I pounced on alcohol inks (Denim, Sailboat Blue and Silver Mixative).  The shimmer the AI gives it is amazing and it looks great with the background paper.  I gently bent the wings up and added a Glossy Accents "body" into which I placed a beaded wire antenna.

The little punched flowers also have some dimension to them.  In the centers I added Liquid Pearl dots.  The sentiment was stamped onto a strip of velum that was laid over a piece of the same unembossed patterned paper as the background.

Inside I continued with the theme.  I lightly stamped a blue clock, butterflies and the wording "Time Flies".  Over that in a darker, full strength blue ink is stamped "Happy Birthday".

This card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations--#151 Heat Embossing

Cupcake Craftroom--Anything Goes

Pile It On--Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays--Anything Goes